Eddie Martin Jr. hurt in Canterbury Park spill

Jockey Eddie Martin Jr. was seriously injured in a spill Monday at Canterbury Park when his mount in the seventh race, Racinrosemary, was bumped in the homestretch and unseated him.

Martin was conscious and breathing on his own Tuesday, according to his agent, Chuck Constanzo. Martin fractured the C1 and C6 vertebrae in his back, but doctors have found no spinal cord damage and Martin is not experiencing any paralysis. He also has a broken big toe, another small fracture in his foot, and a fractured clavicle.

Martin, 53, is a New Orleans native who first was licensed and rode in a sanctioned race in 1980. He has won 3,853 races in his career and has remained remarkably active even into his 50s, having ridden 411 races already this year.